Oscillating Reflective Element Patents (Class 359/213.1)
  • Patent number: 11846770
    Abstract: A light deflector 130 includes: a control unit 106 configured to generate a resonant drive signal for resonantly driving an MEMS mirror 133, and a non-resonant drive signal for non-resonantly driving the MEMS mirror 133; a resonant sensor 144 configured to detect the resonant drive of the MEMS mirror 133 and generate a resonant sensor signal; and a sensor signal processing unit 103 configured to acquire a phase difference between the resonant drive signal generated by the control unit 106 and the resonant sensor signal, in a case where the MEMS mirror 133 is resonantly driven in a Y-axis direction, also the MEMS mirror 133 is non-resonantly driven in an X-axis direction, and scanning is performed. The control unit 106 calculates an amplitude of the non-resonant drive of the MEMS mirror 133 on the basis of a change in the above phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Nishioka
  • Patent number: 11841623
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus configured to provide illumination while changing a spectrum of light from a light source includes a wavelength variable unit configured to change a spectrum of irradiating light, and an optical system configured to irradiate the wavelength variable unit with the light from the light source. The wavelength variable unit is disposed so that an incident surface of the wavelength variable unit on which the light emitted from the optical system is incident is tilted with respect to a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Isaka
  • Patent number: 11747610
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes light sources, a deflector, an optical element, and light blockers. The light blockers are spaced apart in a rotation direction of the deflector. An inequality ?1<?2 is satisfied, where when viewed from the rotation axis direction, ?1 is an angle formed by a line segment connecting the end portion of a light blocker disposed most downstream in the rotation direction to a rotation axis center of the deflector and a line segment connecting the end portion of a light blocker disposed most upstream in the rotation direction to the rotation axis center, and ?2 is an angle formed by a line segment connecting an upstream end portion of one mirror surface in the rotation direction to the rotation axis center and a line segment connecting a downstream end portion of the one mirror surface in the rotation direction to the rotation axis center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Sakaue, Takeshi Yamakawa, Susumu Narita, Ryo Sato
  • Patent number: 11715355
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a crown module that receives input from a user and provides localized haptic feedback to the user. A magnetic element coupled to a crown can be moved by inducing magnetic fields, and the position and/or movement of the magnetic element can be detected to provide closed-loop control of the induced magnetic fields. The haptic feedback can be effectively perceived by the user at the crown without causing the entire head-mountable device to vibrate against the head and/or face of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad F. Hossain, Riccardo Tarelli, Rui He, Jason C. Sauers, Samuel A. Resnick
  • Patent number: 11674344
    Abstract: A hinge for a microelectromechanical system includes a fixed part and a part movable relative to the fixed part along at least an out-of-plane direction, the hinge being intended to suspend the moving part from the fixed part. The hinge includes a first rigid part, a second part fixed to the first part at one end and intended to be anchored to the fixed part or the moving part. The second part deforms in bending in a first direction, two third parts are fixed to the first part and are anchored to the moving part or the fixed part, and the third parts deform in bending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Samer Dagher, Loic Joet
  • Patent number: 11589441
    Abstract: A laser projection device that includes at least one laser diode for generating at least one laser beam, and at least one movable mirror element for deflecting the at least one laser beam. The laser projection device includes at least one control and/or regulation unit that is designed to control and/or regulate a brightness of the at least one laser beam as a function of a relative deflection speed of the at least one laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Ehlert
  • Patent number: 11528456
    Abstract: A control system for a laser scanning projector includes a mirror controller generating horizontal and vertical mirror synchronization signals for an oscillating mirror apparatus based upon a mirror clock signal, and laser modulation circuitry. The laser modulation circuitry generates horizontal and vertical laser synchronization signals as a function of a received laser clock signal, and generates control signals for a laser that emits a laser beam that impinges on the oscillating mirror apparatus. Synchronization circuitry generates the laser clock signal and sends the laser clock signal to the laser modulation circuitry, receives the horizontal and vertical mirror synchronization signals from the mirror controller, receives the horizontal and vertical laser synchronization signals from the laser modulation circuitry, and modifies the laser clock signal so as to achieve alignment between the horizontal and vertical mirror synchronization signals and the horizontal and vertical laser synchronization signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Ltd
    Inventor: Elik Haran
  • Patent number: 11508275
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a continuously monitoring safety system that tracks emission of light energy from the light source by measuring energy at various sampling points within image frames projected by a projector and estimating a highest energy for a pupil area of each of the image frames based on a subset of sampling points encompassed by the pupil area. The highest energy for each of the image frames is summed to generate a cumulative highest energy, which is compared to a predetermined threshold, and in response to the cumulative highest energy exceeding the threshold, adjusting an power output of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Logan, Dwayne A. Wasylyshyn
  • Patent number: 10908406
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method and method for controlling interoperation between a resonant scanner and a movable stage. The movable stage being employed to position a specimen for optical scanning by the resonant scanner. The invention providing high resolution scanning of specimen tissue at a rate of ten times or more faster than other known methods of optically scanning a specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Caliber Imaging & Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Aaron Hadley, Jason William Faulring, Paul Michael Hemmer, James Vincent Massaro
  • Patent number: 10758939
    Abstract: A wearable vibration presentation apparatus includes a weight saving and simplified electric-mechanical vibration converter that has a mechanism that is quite different. The vibration presentation apparatus includes a transmitting member and a control unit, wherein a side portion of the transmitting member abuts a portion of a vibration presentation object or is wound to the vibration presentation object. Vibration is transmitted to the vibration presentation object via the transmitting member by applying predetermined tension to the transmitting member and varying the predetermined tension based on a driving signal on a basis of a vibration presentation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shoichi Hasegawa, Yusuke Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10520588
    Abstract: Laser sensor lenses and methods for maintaining clean laser sensors lenses are disclosed. One method may include applying a coating having first and second components to an exterior surface of a lens of a laser sensor, the first component including a thermogenic light-absorbing (TLA) material; and irradiating the TLA material from a light source within the laser sensor to generate heat from the TLA material to cause the second component to form an active coating. The light source may be a laser of a LiDAR sensor. The heat from the TLA material may cause the second component to cure, solidify, or undergo a phase change. The active coating may be at least one of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a removable cover having a TLA material may be positioned proximate the lens window and irradiated to heat the lens window (e.g., to melt ice thereon).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Arthur Paxton, Kerrie Nikaido Holguin
  • Patent number: 10459211
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method and method for controlling interoperation between a resonant scanner and a movable stage. The movable stage being employed to position a specimen for optical scanning by the resonant scanner. The invention providing high resolution scanning of specimen tissue at a rate of ten times or more faster than other known methods of optically scanning a specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caliber Imaging & Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Aaron Hadley, Jason William Faulring, Paul Michael Hemmer, James Vincent Massaro
  • Patent number: 10101222
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus including a micromirror, an excitation structure containing or supporting the micromirror, and at least one piezoelectric sensor. The excitation structure includes at least one piezoelectric actuator, the excitation structure being configured to resonantly excite the micromirror so as to cause a deflection of the micromirror. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is configured to provide a sensor signal dependent on the deflection of the micromirror, the piezoelectric sensor being connected to the excitation structure so that during the resonant excitation of the micromirror, the sensor signal and the deflection of the micromirror exhibit a fixed mutual phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Shanshan Gu-Stoppel, Hans-Joachim Quenzer, Joachim Janes, Felix Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9908770
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure is described, including: at least one elastically deformable first area, which includes a defined piezoelectrically doped second area, at least in sections; at least one fourth area, into which the electrical charges generated in the second area may be conducted; and at least one third area connected electrically to the second and fourth area, in which an electrical current flowing through is convertible into thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: David Bendes
  • Patent number: 9880380
    Abstract: An endoscope system has observation modes making observations with lights having optical characteristics different from each other. The system includes an endoscope including an insertion section provided with an illumination window, a light guide arranged in the insertion section, and including an entrance end on which the lights enter and a plurality of light guide areas that guide the lights entered on the entrance end, and an entrance area switching unit that switches between the light guide areas through which the entered lights are guided by switching between areas on which the lights enter at the entrance end in accordance with an observation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bakusui Daidoji, Takeshi Ito, Satoshi Ohara, Motoki Tabata
  • Patent number: 9581974
    Abstract: A digital color clock employs six Color Outputs to represent the time of day. A first Color Output represents a tens digit of hours, a second Color Output represents a ones digit of hours, a third Color Output represents a tens digit in minutes, a fourth Color Output represents a ones digit in minutes, a fifth Color Output represents a tens digit in seconds, and a sixth Color Output represents a ones digit in seconds. The digital color clock can optionally display the date, temperature, humidity, and/or barometric pressure using Color Outputs. Front and back light sensors can be included for measuring brightness of ambient light to enable adjustment of Color Outputs in response to changes in brightness of ambient light. In one embodiment, the Color Outputs are interspersed among other unchangeable Color Outputs of a display. The display can be a component of a stationary or hand-held computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Adam C. Roman
  • Patent number: 9523849
    Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a mirror part, a pair of joints, a pair of vibration parts, a plurality of driving parts, and a fixed part. Each of the joints has a first end connected to respective one the facing positions to each other on the mirror part and a second end opposite to the first end, and extends along a first axis. Each of the vibration parts has a central portion connected to the second end of respective one of the joints. A plurality of driving parts are disposed in each of the pair of vibration parts, and rotate the mirror part. Both ends of each of the pair of vibration parts are connected to the fixed part. The beam width defined as the length of each of the joints in a direction orthogonal to the first axis is greater than the beam width of each of the pair of vibration parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
  • Patent number: 9502863
    Abstract: Provided is a surface-emitting semiconductor laser including a substrate; a first semiconductor multilayer reflector of a first conductivity type formed on the substrate, the first semiconductor multilayer reflector including plural pairs of a low-refractive-index layer and a high-refractive-index layer; a cavity region formed on the first semiconductor multilayer reflector; a second semiconductor multilayer reflector of a second conductivity type formed on the cavity region, the second semiconductor multilayer reflector including plural pairs of a low-refractive-index layer and a high-refractive-index layer; a columnar structure extending from the second semiconductor multilayer reflector to the cavity region; and a current confinement layer formed inside the columnar structure by selective oxidation of a semiconductor layer containing Al. The cavity region includes an active region; and a cavity extension region interposed between the active region and the first semiconductor multilayer reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichiro Hayakawa, Akemi Murakami, Takashi Kondo, Kazutaka Takeda, Naoki Jogan, Jun Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9482865
    Abstract: In a light scanning method of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source on a plane to be scanned, a focal distance of an optical element that converges light emitted from the light source onto the plane to be scanned is sequentially varied to uniform a beam spot diameter at each position on the plane to be scanned where a distance from the light source varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Makoto Masuda
  • Patent number: 9341840
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a MEMS device comprising, a mirror which is connected to a fixed portion by means of a first and second torsional arm, each of the first and second torsional arms are configured such that they can twist about torsional axes so as to oscillate the mirror about a first oscillation axes, and wherein the first and second torsional arms are each configured to have two or more meanders and wherein the first and second torsional arms are arranged symmetrically relative to the first oscillation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Faouzi Khechana, Julien Gamet
  • Patent number: 9092681
    Abstract: A laser scanning module employs a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly supported by a stator structure using a pair of elastomeric wheel hinges. The scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly includes: a scan mirror and magnet rotor subassembly having a rotor frame having a pair of rotor support posts aligned along a scan axis passing through the rotor frame; a scan mirror mounted on the rotor frame; and a permanent magnet mounted on the rotor frame. The elastomeric wheel hinge includes a central portion having an aperture for passage and fixed attachment of one rotor support post, a plurality of elastomeric spoke portions extending from the central portion and radially extending from the central aperture to a circumferential rim portion connected to the outer end portion of each spoke portion so as to form the elastomeric wheel hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Havens, Gregory Rueblinger
  • Patent number: 9042689
    Abstract: An optical switch includes: a semiconductor substrate, including a first rotation part and a first torsion beam disposed at two ends of the first rotation part, where the first torsion beam is configured to drive the first rotation part to rotate; a microreflector, disposed on a surface of the first rotation part of the semiconductor substrate; a first latching structure, disposed on a surface of the first torsion beam, the first latching structure including a form self remolding (FSR) material layer and a thermal field source, where the thermal field source is configured to provide a thermal field for the FSR material layer and the FSR material layer is configured to undergo form remolding under the thermal field, so as to latch the first rotation part and the microreflector in a position after rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qinghua Chen, Haixia Zhang, Wengang Wu, Jun Zhao, Yunsheng Wen
  • Publication number: 20150138616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactionless, constant scanning velocity laser scanner having a scanning mirror and a counter-rotating mass trading kinetic energy as the mirror collides with the counter rotating mass rotating in opposite direction to reverse the direction of rotation of the mirror. The scanning mirror is rotatably mounted in a frame and spaced from a rotatably mounted counterweight such that in each direction of rotation the mirror will collide with the counterweight moving in the opposite direction of rotation. The counterweight has spring means thereon positioned to bump against the mirror in one direction and then the other direction of rotation to repel the mirror to cause a back and forth scanning motion in the mirror. The counterweight is moved by an actuator which replaces energy lost during scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: H.N. BURNS ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hoyt N. Burns
  • Patent number: 9030734
    Abstract: A scanning microscope is described, having an illumination unit for emitting an illumination light beam, an objective for generating an elongated illumination focus in a specimen to be imaged, and a scanning apparatus for moving the illumination focus over a target region of the specimen to be illuminated by modifying the direction of incidence in which the illumination light beam is incident into an entrance pupil of the objective. The scanning apparatus directs the illumination light beam onto a sub-region of the entrance pupil offset from the pupil center in order to incline the illumination focus relative to the optical axis of the objective, and modifies the direction of incidence of the illumination light beam within that sub-region in order to move the illumination focus over the target region to be illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Knebel, Arnold Giske
  • Patent number: 9025228
    Abstract: An optical reflecting device includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The first oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Shigeo Furukawa, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada
  • Patent number: 9010936
    Abstract: Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror comprising: —a movable scanning micro-mirror (101), being pivotally connected to a MEMS body (102) substantially surrounding the lateral sides of the micro-mirror, —a transparent window (202) substantially covering the reflection side of the micro-mirror; —wherein a piezo-actuator assembly (500) and a layer of deformable transparent material (501) are provided on the outer portion of said window (202); —the piezo-actuator assembly (500) being arranged at the periphery of the layer of transparent material (501); —said piezo-actuator assembly (500) and transparent material (501) cooperating so that when actuated, the piezo-actuator assembly (500) causes micro-deformation of the transparent material (501), thereby providing an anti-speckle effect. The invention also provides the corresponding micro-projection system and method for reducing speckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Lemoptix SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Lucio Kilcher, Faouzi Khechana
  • Publication number: 20150092257
    Abstract: A laser scanning device and a calibration method thereof are provided. The laser scanning device includes a light-emitting element, an oscillating reflective element, a light receiving element and a micro processing unit. The oscillating reflective element is configured to swing back and forth in an adjustable oscillation frequency, such that laser beams emitted from the light-emitting element are reflected to a predetermined scan region. When a swing angle of the oscillating reflective element is affected by a change of the environment temperature, an oscillation frequency of the laser scanning device is directly changed corresponding to the current environment temperature by the micro processing unit such that the oscillating reflective element correctly swings in a predetermined angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: YUNG-CHIH CHEN, HUNG-CHUN HSU
  • Patent number: 8976423
    Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning member having at least one reflective surface and at least one light source for emitting at least one light beam to be incident on the at least one reflective surface of the scanning member during a scanning operation. At least one curved synchronization mirror deflects and focuses at least a portion of the at least one light beam that is deflected by the scanning member to indicate at least one of a start and an end of a scan line operation of the scanning operation. A sensor receives the at least one light beam deflected and focused by the at least one curved synchronization mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Brent Steven Dupree
  • Publication number: 20150055203
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a mirror that oscillates to scan incident visible light. The mirror includes a substrate, a metal film formed on the substrate, and an reflection enhancing film stacked on the metal film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki MARUYAMA, Misato ABE
  • Patent number: 8964273
    Abstract: An optical reflection element according to the present invention includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The second oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada, Kiyomi Furukawa
  • Publication number: 20150049374
    Abstract: A micromirror system that includes a chip frame, at least one spring element, and at least one mirror plate oscillatorily suspended in the chip frame via the at least one spring element. The chip frame and the at least one spring element include at least one microchannel which is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for leading through a flowing coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ulrich Hofmann, Hans-Joachim Quenzer, Joachim Janes, Björn Jensen
  • Publication number: 20150036202
    Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning device that can be downsized and improve the reading rate of a laser-type image reading system. This is an optical scanning device that includes a torsion beam, and a variable focus mirror that is supported by the torsion beam. Furthermore, the variable focus mirror is supported at two symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the torsion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Naruki Suzuki, Takayuki Wakabayashi, Katsumi Arai
  • Patent number: 8928962
    Abstract: An optical device includes a base made of silicon and including a movable portion provided with a light reflecting portion having light reflectivity and capable of oscillating around a oscillation axis, at least one connection portion that extends from the movable portion, and a support portion that supports the connection portion, and a stray light suppression layer provided on a surface of the base and having a function of suppressing light reflection. In a plan view in which the base is viewed in a thickness direction thereof, the stray light suppression layer is provided on portions other than an edge of the connection portion, an edge that connects an edge of the movable portion to the edge of the connection portion, and an edge that connects an edge of the support portion to the edge of the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20140375898
    Abstract: A scanning mirror includes a mirror unit configured to reflect a laser beam, a supporter configured to cause the mirror unit to rotate and oscillate, and an oscillation sensor configured to output a monitor signal indicating oscillation of the mirror unit. A photodetector detects an intensity of the laser beam. When a value of the monitor signal falls out of a predetermined range of a normal operation and a value of the intensity detected by the photodetector fails to decrease, a breaking signal for causing the supporter to oscillate more than a breaking limit angle of the supporter is input. This scanning mirror and an image projection device using this scanning mirror can display an image at sufficient brightness safely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Yuta Yamamoto, Shinsuke Nakazono, Kazuki Komaki
  • Patent number: 8896897
    Abstract: A micromechanical component has a light window; a mirror element adjustable with respect to the light window from a first position into at least one second position about at least one axis of rotation, an optical sensor having a detection surface designed to ascertain a light intensity on the detection surface and to provide a corresponding sensor signal. The light window, the mirror element in the first position and the detection surface are situated in relation to one another in such a way that a portion of a light beam reflected on the light window strikes the detection surface at least partially; and an evaluation unit designed to define, on the basis of the sensor signal, information regarding an instantaneous position of the mirror element and/or an instantaneous intensity of the deflected light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Pinter, Joerg Muchow, Joachim Fritz, Christoph Friese
  • Publication number: 20140333979
    Abstract: A laser scanning device and a control method thereof are provided. The method includes: providing a control signal to an oscillating reflective mirror of the device; setting a frequency of the control signal gradually decreased from a maximal-setting-value of a resonant frequency of the mirror; judging whether a light detector receives a laser light reflected by the mirror according to an edge signal of the detector; judging whether a pulse width of the edge signal is equal to a predetermined pulse width when the detector receives the laser light: (1) increasing the frequency of the control signal when the pulse width of the edge signal is greater than the predetermined pulse width, (2) decreasing the frequency of the control signal when the pulse width of the edge signal is less than the predetermined pulse width. The time and labor for measuring the scanning frequency of the mirror may be saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Hsun Huang, Lei-Chih Chang, Chung-Lung Yang, Ming-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 8864316
    Abstract: Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror comprising: —a movable scanning micro-mirror (101) pivotally connected to a MEMS body (102) substantially surrounding the lateral sides of the micro-mirror; —an transparent prism (500, 600) substantially covering the reflection side of the micro-mirror; —wherein said prism has its outer face non-parallel to the micro-mirror neutral plane N-N, thereby providing a dual anti-speckle and anti-reflection effect, namely against parasitic light. The invention also provides the corresponding micro-projection system and method for reducing speckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Lemoptix SA
    Inventors: Lucio Kilcher, Nicolas Abele, Faouzi Khechana
  • Patent number: 8848272
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator according to an aspect of the invention can include: a first actuator including a first piezoelectric driving part; and a second actuator including a second piezoelectric driving part. A central portion of the first actuator can be supported. The first actuator can be bent and deformed by applying a first driving voltage to the first piezoelectric driving part, so that both end portions of the first actuator can be displaced in a thickness direction of the first actuator. Both end portions of the second actuator can be coupled to the both end portions of the first actuator. The second actuator can be bent and deformed in the opposite direction to the first actuator by applying a second driving voltage to the second piezoelectric driving part, so that a central portion of the second actuator can be displaced in a thickness direction of the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Naono
  • Patent number: 8842352
    Abstract: A method for improving the alignment of the bi-directional scan lines of a resonant mirror imaging system is disclosed. The method includes sensing the position of the mirror and selecting a portion of each scan line, such as the exact middle 50% and the start points of the scan lines in both directions for displaying the image. Determine the specific number of pixels used to modulate the scan lines and the clocking rate at which the pixels are inserted on the light beam so that the pixels completely fill the selected portion of the scan lines. The clock rate is then adjusted to the determined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Gregory Oettinger, James Eugene Noxon
  • Patent number: 8797629
    Abstract: A method of operating by pulse width modulation a micromirror device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a micromirror device having a micromirror element electrostatically deflectable around a rotation axis between a first and second position. The micromirror element is controllable by applying voltage signals to a first and second electrode on one side of the rotation axis and a third and fourth electrode on the other side. The method includes associating an intermediate value of intensity to the micromirror element during a time frame, the intensity being between a first value corresponding to the first position and a second value corresponding to the second position. The method includes switching the micromirror element between the first and second position. The intermediate value corresponds to the ratio of periods in the time frame in which the micromirror element is in the first or second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: IMEC, Universiteit Gent
    Inventors: Herbert De Smet, Roel Beernaert
  • Publication number: 20140049804
    Abstract: A mirror apparatus includes beams that support a mirror portion therebetween, the mirror portion having a mirror on a surface thereof, and drives the beams in a torsional direction to cause the mirror portion to oscillate at a predetermined resonance frequency, wherein thermally deformable materials that deform due to heating are provided on surfaces of the beams, and a spring constant of the beams is adjusted such that thermal deformations of the thermally deformable materials cause the mirror portion to oscillate at the predetermined resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanida
  • Patent number: 8610985
    Abstract: A disclosed optical scanning device includes a light source unit configured to emit a laser beam; an oscillating mirror configured to deflect the laser beam from the light source unit; a scanning/imaging optical system configured to focus the deflected laser beam on a target surface; and plural light-receiving elements configured to receive the laser beam in a scanning area of the laser beam, the position of the oscillating mirror being adjusted such that time intervals between output pulses in output signals of the respective light-receiving elements become substantially the same between the light-receiving elements and/or widths of the output pulses become substantially the same between the light-receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tsuchiya, Tomohiro Nakajima, Mitsuo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130278907
    Abstract: Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror comprising: —a movable scanning micro-mirror (101), being pivotally connected to a MEMS body (102) substantially surrounding the lateral sides of the micro-mirror, —a transparent window (202) substantially covering the reflection side of the micro-mirror; —wherein a piezo-actuator assembly (500) and a layer of deformable transparent material (501) are provided on the outer portion of said window (202); —the piezo-actuator assembly (500) being arranged at the periphery of the layer of transparent material (501); —said piezo-actuator assembly (500) and transparent material (501) cooperating so that when actuated, the piezo-actuator assembly (500) causes micro-deformation of the transparent material (501), thereby providing an anti-speckle effect. The invention also provides the corresponding micro-projection system and method for reducing speckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: LEMOPTIX SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Faouzi Khechana
  • Patent number: 8564868
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a deflector configured to deflect and scan the light beam from the light source in a main scanning direction; a control substrate that is configured to control driving of the light source and includes a first connection part to which the light source is connected and a second connection part for connecting an external terminal; and a housing that supports the control substrate. The first connection part is arranged within the housing and the second connection part is exposed and arranged at the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Kusuda, Shogo Mori
  • Publication number: 20130242366
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical resonator made of low-outgassing materials, comprised of at least one chamber, a non-linear crystal arranged in the chamber, and an array of mirrors arranged in the chamber and comprised of a plurality of mirrors for deflecting a light beam. To specify such a resonator which is low-outgassing and which ensures fine adjustment of the optical elements at the same time, the present invention proposes that the non-linear crystal and at least one mirror of the array of mirrors is arranged on one movable carrier each, wherein the said carrier is fabricated from a low-outgassing material and seals the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: TOPTICA Photonics AG
    Inventors: Rainer Heidemann, Matthias Scholz
  • Publication number: 20130235441
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a beam scanner may comprise a nanophotonics chip to provide a scanned output beam. The nanophotonics chip comprises a substrate, a grating in-coupler formed in the substrate to couple a beam from a light source into the substrate, a modulator to modulate the beam, and a photonic crystal (PC) superprism to provide a scanned output beam that is scanned in response to the modulated beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Wyatt O. Davis, Taha Masood
  • Patent number: 8520282
    Abstract: During one cycle of reciprocating operation of a MEMS mirror, a light receiving sensor detects a falling time at which a laser beam reflected by an upstream-of-sensor mirror and scanned in one direction passes an edge of a regulation portion, and a rising time at which the laser beam scanned in the other opposed direction passes the edge of the regulation portion. A controller executes an arithmetic operation on the basis of the two times detected by the light receiving sensor and controls the operation of the MEMS mirror, which is performed by the driver, such that the detected two times are held at respective setting times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Obara, Junya Azami
  • Patent number: 8514473
    Abstract: A module configured to deflect light in an image forming apparatus. A torsion bar supports a mirror and defines a rotational axis of the mirror. A controller is configured to apply electronic pulses to at least one driving device to oscillate the mirror in the module around the rotational axis at a scanning frequency different than a resonance frequency of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20130107339
    Abstract: An optical reflection element according to the present invention includes a fixed frame, a pair of first oscillation parts, a movable frame, a pair of second oscillation parts, and a mirror part. One-side ends of the first oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the fixed frame. The movable frame is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of first oscillation parts to be pivotable. One-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts are connected to the inside of the movable frame and the pair of second oscillation parts are disposed to be substantially perpendicular to the pair of first oscillation parts. The mirror part is connected to and held by the other-side ends of the pair of second oscillation parts to be pivotable. The second oscillation parts have a meandering shape in which a plurality of straight portions and a plurality of folded portions are formed, and a stepped structure portion is provided in part of the folded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Horie, Shinsuke Nakazono, Soichiro Hiraoka, Yuta Yamamoto, Kazuki Komaki, Masaki Tada, Kiyomi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8422107
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an optical scanning element which has a reflection mirror and is configured to perform reciprocating scanning of an optical flux radiated from a light source by resonance oscillations of the reflection mirror; a photo detector which is arranged at a position which a portion of the optical flux scanned by the optical scanning element in a reciprocating manner passes in both outgoing-path scanning and incoming-path scanning, and is configured to output a pulse signal having a predetermined width at a point of time that the scanned optical flux is detected; and the reference signal generator which is configured to detect timing between rising edge timing of one pulse signal and falling edge timing of the other pulse signal out of two pulse signals continuously outputted from the photo detector, and to generate the reference signal based on intermediate timing between the edge timings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruhisa Takayama